Grew up on a farm in northern Iowa, back in the 60's and early 70's when we had some birds. Early season 6's out of a Marlin 90 O/U in 16 ga. latter on, 5's, and some times 4's. & 1/2 work, but not good on going away birds. Now in South dakota, and Minnesota, always 5's.
Grew up on and still own the farm in east central Iowa. My dad and I used #5 shot exclusively on pheasants. Back in the soil bank days (1950s) we had to carry 22 rifles on the tractors while planting corn. They would land right behind the planter scratching the seed out faster than we could plant it. Fields of them by the hundreds. Dad used a 30" Win Mod 12 12ga and I used a 32" Win mod 97 during the pheasant season. I shot my last rooster with my Win Mod 42 and #5 shot. I won't shoot another one as I like them to much. They will be almost extinct in this state before long.
